Adjustable clothing cincher

ABSTRACT

According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the device and techniques introduced herein relate to an adjustable clothing cincher. In one embodiment, a garment cincher is disclosed comprising a first garment attachment fastener; a second garment attachment fastener; and a connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap. The first garment attachment fastener may be fastened at a first location of a garment. After fastening the first garment attachment fastener, the second garment attachment fastener may be fastened at a second location of the garment such that the connecting strap provides cinching force to the garment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/920,208, entitled “Adjustable half belt that hooks onto belt loops around the back or sides, the hooks/clasp are made of either Polyethylene, metals, or ceramics, the belt is made of an elastic material”, filed on Apr. 19, 2019, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/951,176, entitled “ADJUSTABLE CLOTHING FASTENER”, filed on Dec. 20, 2019, the contents of which are both incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to clothing accessories, and, more particularly, to an adjustable clothing cincher for clothing garments.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, a belt is worn as a clothing accessory to tighten a clothing garment, such as pants, around a user's waist, thus preventing the clothing garment from slipping. However, certain types of users and/or garments are not suited for belt usage.

In particular, while belts are designed to encircle the waist of a user at least one time before they are closed (i.e., the belt closes upon itself and forms a closed loop), it may be difficult or undesirable for certain users to complete this closed loop. For example, due to age, mobility, job, style, or merely preference, some users have a lifestyle that is not conducive to traditional belts.

SUMMARY

According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the device and techniques introduced herein relate to an adjustable clothing cincher. In particular, as described herein, an adjustable clothing cincher attaches to clothing and secures the clothing in a convenient and unobtrusive manner, cinching (tightening) the clothing around the user's waist through adjustability and/or elasticity. In one particular embodiment, the adjustable clothing cincher is specifically configured to attach to belt loops of a user's pants (e.g., trousers, slacks, jeans, etc.), shorts, dresses, skirts, and other types of garments and to pull the attachment points (e.g., the belt loops) closer together, establishing the tightening of the clothing around the user's waist. In other embodiments, the adjustable clothing cincher may be configured to allow attachment to clothing without belt loops, such as through clasps, clips, and so on that are affixed to the clothing cincher.

In one particular embodiment, a garment cincher is disclosed comprising: a first garment attachment fastener; a second garment attachment fastener; and a connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap. The first garment attachment fastener may be fastened at a first location of a garment. After fastening the first garment attachment fastener, the second garment attachment fastener may be fastened at a second location of the garment such that the connecting strap provides cinching force to the garment.

Other embodiments are described herein, and this summary is not meant to be limiting to scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identically or functionally similar elements, of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example simplified diagram of an adjustable clothing cincher;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example adjustment of length for the adjustable clothing cincher;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example detailed view of one or more attachment mechanisms of the adjustable clothing cincher;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example rear view of an article of clothing having an attached adjustable clothing cincher in accordance with one or more embodiments herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example frontal view of an alternative embodiment of the adjustable clothing cincher herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example detailed view of one or more releases of attachment mechanisms of the adjustable clothing cincher; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an example simplified procedure for operating a garment cincher.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

As noted above, belts are designed to encircle the waist of a user at least one time before they are closed, generally clasped into a closed loop upon itself via a buckle, snap, a knot, or other fastening mechanism. However, it may be difficult or undesirable for a user to achieve this closed loop.

For some users, having a belt that requires a closed loop is not conducive to their lifestyle. For example, a user may not have the ability to manage clasping and unclasping a belt due to age, mobility, special needs (e.g., adaptive skills in people with autism, etc.), obesity, injury, arthritis, and so on. Certain activities or jobs, also, may also be a reason to not wear a traditional belt, such as for safety (e.g., nothing to get caught in machinery, no metal objects, nothing that could cause scratches, etc.). In still another instance, the user may simply not like the feel of having a closed loop around their waist. Moreover, a typical belt includes a buckle that can further increase the discomfort of the user. In addition, it may also be difficult for a conventional belt to affix to certain clothing, such as where the clothing has no location for the conventional belt to affix to.

It would thus be desirable to have an adjustable fastener that can appease the user and fit directly on a user's clothing to hold the user's clothing at a desired location, whether for utility or style, or both. As described herein, therefore, an adjustable clothing cincher is provided that attaches to clothing and secures the clothing in a convenient and unobtrusive manner, cinching (tightening) the clothing around the user's waist through adjustability and/or elasticity. In one particular embodiment, the adjustable clothing cincher is specifically configured to attach to belt loops of a user's pants (e.g., trousers, slacks, jeans, etc.) or shorts, and to pull the attachment points (e.g., the belt loops) closer together, establishing the tightening of the clothing around the user's waist. In other embodiments, the adjustable clothing cincher may be configured to allow attachment to clothing without belt loops, such as through clasps, clips, and so on.

According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the device and techniques introduced herein relate to an adjustable clothing cincher. In one embodiment, a garment cincher is disclosed comprising a first garment attachment fastener; a second garment attachment fastener; and a connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap. The first garment attachment fastener may be fastened at a first location of a garment. After fastening the first garment attachment fastener, the second garment attachment fastener may be fastened at a second location of the garment such that the connecting strap provides cinching force to the garment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an example of a simplified adjustable clothing cincher 100 is illustrated, and includes attachment mechanisms 120 and 122, which from time to time may be referenced as garment attachment fasteners herein, located at opposing ends of a connecting strap 130. The attachment mechanisms 120 and 122 are particularly configured to attach each end of the strap 130 to an article of clothing in a variety of manners. The connecting strap 130 may be any suitable material, such as a flexible, soft, or pliable material (e.g., leather, plastic, fabric, nylon, etc.), and may preferably be elastic/stretchable or else may be static (fixed length) in certain embodiments.

The length of the strap 130 may be configured depending upon use, and generally may be anywhere from completely surrounding a user's body down to length that “pinches” the clothing to a desired circumference. In one embodiment, a strap 130 may have a minimum and maximum length, the bounds within with the strap may be adjusted by one or more adjustment mechanisms 140/142, which from time to time may be referenced as adjusters herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the strap 130 may be a conventional loopback strap, affixing permanently to one attachment mechanism 120, and passing through the other attachment mechanism 122 (e.g., an aperture formed within the attachment mechanism) to loop back on itself to affix to the adjustment mechanism 142. By configuring/adjusting the location of the adjustment mechanism 142, the length of the looped back strap is correspondingly adjusted, allowing for the strap to reach maximum and minimum lengths ranging from approximately half the strap length (fully looped back) as shown in FIG. 2A to substantially the entire strap length (minimal/no loop back) as shown in FIG. 2B.

Other techniques for adjusting the length of the cincher 100 may also be considered herein, such as multiple adjustment mechanisms (e.g., adjusting each side attachment mechanism independently), multiple strap lengths to choose from (e.g., removable straps/attachment mechanisms), and so on. Also, the adjustment mechanisms 140/142 may be made from polyethylene, metal, ceramic, etc., and may be any suitable design to allow adjustment of the cincher 100, as may be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The adjustment mechanisms 140/142 may be molded, cast, printed, pressed, etc.).

The attachment mechanisms 120/122 are configured to secure the strap 130 to an article of clothing, such as by affixing to (e.g., hooking to) the clothing itself (e.g., the waistband) or a component/fixture of the clothing (e.g., belt loops, straps, etc.). For instance, in one or more embodiments herein, the attachment mechanisms comprise a hook-like shape that can pull on the belt loops of a conventional pair of pants. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, for example, illustrative attachment mechanisms 120/122 are shown having a generally hooked shape that hooks to an article of clothing 300. Note that in FIG. 3A, a portion 126 of the attachment mechanisms is shown looping back in order to secure the clothing 300 within the mechanism, for example, passing through the portion 126 and then being prevented from coming back out without user assistance. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, the hook-shape of the attachment mechanism may stay affixed to the clothing 300 by, for example, being pulled toward the opposing end of the strap 130, creating tension on the hook-shaped mechanism and securing it in place. In some embodiments, a width of the connecting strap 300 may be substantially similar in width to widths of belt loops of the clothing 300 so as to allow the connecting strap 300 to be inserted through the belt loops that are in between belt loops that are used for attachment/fastening.

Other mechanisms for attachment may also be used herein, such as conventional “pinching” types of clips/clasps, such as the type used on many examples of suspenders, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. However, in order to maximize the security of the fastener to the clothing, and to do so with minimal effort and complication (particularly for users with limited mobility/strength), the advantageous hook shapes of FIGS. 3A-3B are preferred in certain embodiments herein. Note further that while in certain embodiments both mechanisms are illustratively of the same design/configuration, the mechanisms 120 and 122 may be differently configured, such as one to attach more securely to the clothing, and the other being more removable to allow for easy removal of the article of clothing.

The adjustable clothing cincher 100 herein may be arranged to fasten around at least a portion of a clothing accessory, pulling together the attachment points of the clothing through adjustment of the strap length or through elasticity of the strap 130. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, an illustrative implementation of the cincher 100 is to attach the attachment mechanisms 120/122 to belt loops 310/312 of the article of clothing 300 (e.g., a pair of pants). In general, the fastener is envisioned to attach to belt loops on the back of the clothing (e.g., pants), but any suitable location is contemplated herein (e.g., side, front, etc.).

By pulling the attachment points together, the effect is a tightening or “cinching” of the clothing around the user provided by the connecting strap 130. In particular, the connecting strap 130 may provide a cinching force which pulls the attachment mechanisms towards one another (i.e., in a direction towards each other). With elastic/stretchable straps 130, this allows the clothing (e.g., pants) to be comfortably worn, securely around the user, while still allowing the clothing (e.g., pants) to be removed (or lowered) without having to remove the adjustable cincher 100, or more particularly, without having to unclasp any belts. Further as shown, a length of the connecting strap may be less than half of a circumference of the garment when the attachment mechanisms 120/122 are attached to belt loops 310/312 of the article of clothing 300.

Note that in one alternative embodiment, an increased length of the strap 130 allows cincher 100 to reach substantially around the user, such as shown in FIG. 5. In this manner, the adjustable clothing cincher 100 herein essentially acts as a belt without clasping across the very front (e.g., where traditional buttons/clasps 330 and zippers are located), allowing for a surrounding fit of the fastener, but without hindering access to the buttons/zipper of traditional pants. It is envisioned that the length of the adjustable fastener may be manufactured in many different lengths that coincide with the many types of users and articles of clothing, and the illustrated configurations herein are not meant to be limiting to the scope of the present disclosure.

In general, a technique for affixing the adjustable clothing cincher to clothing may comprise: pre-adjusting the length of the strap 130 using the adjustment mechanisms 140/142, attaching the attachment mechanisms 120/122 to an article of clothing 300 at desirable attachment points; and re-adjusting the strap 130 using the adjustment mechanisms 140/142 if needed. Notably, the adjustable clothing cincher may be pre-attached to the clothing (i.e., prior to the user putting the clothing on), or after the clothing is already worn by the user. Regardless of the order of the steps above, the end result is that the article of clothing may thus be secured in place with a cinched/tightened arrangement around the user's body. In certain embodiments, as mentioned above, the strap itself if elastic, thus providing stretchable tightening to allow a user to remove the clothing (e.g., pants) without removing the cincher 100 from the clothing. In other embodiments, the strap is not elastic, and stretching ability of the clothing (e.g., elastic waistbands, stretchy materials, etc.) allow the clothing to be removed without removing the strap. In still other embodiments, the fastener may be removed to allow removal of the clothing from the user.

Notably, the adjustable clothing cincher 100 may be removable by the user in order to use the fastener on other articles of clothing, and to launder the clothing without the fastener. In some embodiments, however, the adjustable fastener may be permanently affixed to the clothing accessory, for example, stitching the attachment mechanisms 120/122 within the clothing itself, either external to the clothing accessory or internal to the clothing accessory.

In certain embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 3A-3B above, one or both of the attachment mechanisms 120/122 may be a hard material, such as polyethylene, metal, ceramic, etc., and may be constructed through any suitable techniques (e.g., molded, cast, printed, pressed, etc.) In alternative embodiments, one or both of the attachment mechanisms may be a flexible material, such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®) that attach to the clothing or that loop back on itself to loop around a component of the clothing, fabric patches that can be sewn to the clothing, and so on. In still further embodiments, the attachment mechanisms may comprise safety pins, hooks, buttons, snaps, claws, slide fasteners, zippers, and so on.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the illustrative attachment mechanisms 120/122 may further comprise a release 600. The release 600 may allow a user to more easily remove the attachments 120/122 from the article of clothing by providing the user a release 600 (a handle, hook, nub, etc.) from which to pull the attachment mechanism 120/122 in a direction opposite of the cinching force provided by the connection strap. That is, the release 600 may face outwardly away from the article of clothing 300. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting strap 130 may provide a cinching force in a first direction 602. As user may use the release 600 to pull the attachment mechanism 120 in a direction 604 opposite of the first direction 602 (i.e., the cinching force provided by the connecting strap), thereby allowing the removal of the attachment mechanism 120 from the article of clothing (or garment) 300.

FIG. 7 illustrates example simplified procedure for operating a garment cincher, in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As described in greater detail above, the garment cincher may include a first garment attachment fastener, a second garment attachment fastener, and a connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap. Also, a material of the connecting strap may comprise at least one of leather, plastic, fabric, or nylon. Additionally, the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener may be molded, casted, or printed.

Procedure 700 may start at step 705, and may continue to step 710, where a first garment attachment fastener may be fastened to a garment (e.g., at a first location of a garment). In some embodiments, the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener may each comprise a hook configured to fasten to a respective loop of the garment by hooking onto the respective loop or a clasp configured to fasten to the garment by clasping onto the garment. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener may each comprise a release that faces outwardly from the garment when the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment. The garment itself may comprise a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a dress, a gown, or a shirt.

In step 715, a second garment attachment fastener may be fastened to the garment. In particular, after fastening the first garment attachment fastener, the second garment attachment fastener of the garment cincher may be fastened at a second location of the garment such that the connecting strap provides cinching force to the garment.

In some embodiments, the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener may be fastened to the garment at respective belt loops of the garment. In some embodiments, a width of the fasteners and/or the connecting strap may be substantially similar in width to widths of belt loops of the garment. In general, a length of the connecting strap may be less than half of a circumference of the garment when the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment (e.g., the two rear-most belt loops on a pair of pants).

Notably, in some embodiments, the garment cincher may further comprise a connecting strap adjuster that adjusts a length of the connecting strap. As such, occurring at one or more times during procedure 700, including before fastening the first garment attachment fastener (before step 710), before fastening the second garment attachment fastener (before step 715, or alternatively, after fastening the first garment attachment fastener (after step 710)), and/or after fastening the second garment attachment fastener (after step 715), the procedure 700 may include one or more optional “(adjust connecting strap)” sub-steps 707, allowing adjustment to the length of the strap to thus customize the distance between the first and second garment attachment fasteners, whether to reach certain locations (attachment points) and/or to adjust cinching force applied to the garment (e.g., shorter straps providing greater cinching force, and, conversely, longer straps providing less cinching force).

Procedure 700 then ends at step 720.

Other embodiments may follow other procedures, may include more or fewer steps, and a different order of steps. Procedure 700 is merely an example illustration for one particular embodiment. For instance, in some embodiments, the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are permanently affixed to the garment. In certain of these embodiments, the length of the strap may be adjusted to customize the cinching force applied by the connecting strap.

While the present disclosure has illustrated various embodiments of the adjustable clothing cincher, other configurations may be made within the scope of the invention. For instance, while certain materials have been shown for the strap, attachment mechanisms, adjustment mechanisms, and so on, other suitable materials may be used. Furthermore, while certain shapes or designs of the strap, attachment mechanisms, adjustment mechanisms, and so on have been shown and described, functionally similar designs may also be utilized herein. Additionally, though certain articles of clothing are shown (e.g., pants), other types of clothing or garments, such as dresses, jackets, shirts, hospital “johnny” gowns, robes, undergarments, etc., may also utilize the fastener described herein with suitable attachment points.

The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true intent and scope of the embodiments herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment cincher, comprising: a first garment attachment fastener; a second garment attachment fastener; and a connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap, wherein the connecting strap provides cinching force to a garment when the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment.
 2. The garment cincher as in claim 1, further comprising: a connecting strap adjuster that adjusts a length of the connecting strap.
 3. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment at respective belt loops of the garment.
 4. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein a width of the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener is substantially similar in width to widths of belt loops of the garment.
 5. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein a width of the connecting strap is substantially similar in width to widths of belt loops of the garment.
 6. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein a length of the connecting strap is less than half of a circumference of the garment when the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment.
 7. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein a material of the connecting strap comprises at least one of leather, plastic, fabric, or nylon.
 8. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener each comprise a hook configured to fasten to a respective loop of the garment by hooking onto the respective loop.
 9. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener each comprise a clasp configured to fasten to the garment by clasping onto the garment.
 10. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are molded, casted, or printed.
 11. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener each comprise a release that faces outwardly from the garment when the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment.
 12. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are permanently affixed to the garment.
 13. The garment cincher as in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a dress, a gown, or a shirt.
 14. A method for operating a garment cincher that includes a first garment attachment fastener, a second garment attachment fastener, and a connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap, the method comprising: fastening the first garment attachment fastener at a first location of a garment; and after fastening the first garment attachment fastener, fastening the second garment attachment fastener at a second location of the garment such that the connecting strap provides cinching force to the garment.
 15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the garment cincher further includes a connecting strap adjuster that adjusts a length of the connecting strap, the method further comprising: adjusting the length of the connecting strap by using the connecting strap adjuster.
 16. The method as in claim 15, wherein adjusting the length of the connecting strap occurs at one or more times selected from a group consisting of: before fastening the first garment attachment fastener at a first location of a garment; before fastening the second garment attachment fastener at a second location of the garment; and after fastening the s second garment attachment fastener at a second location of the garment.
 17. The method as in claim 14, wherein the first location of the garment is a first belt loop of the garment and the second location of the garment is a second belt loop of the garment.
 18. The method as in claim 14, wherein a length of the connecting strap is less than half of a circumference of the garment when the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener are fastened to the garment.
 19. The method as in claim 14, wherein the first garment attachment fastener and the second garment attachment fastener each comprise a hook configured to fasten to a respective loop of the garment by hooking onto the respective loop or a clasp configured to fasten to the garment by clasping onto the garment.
 20. A garment cincher, comprising: a first garment attachment fastener comprising a first hook configured to hook onto a first belt loop of a garment; a second garment attachment fastener comprising a second hook configured to hook onto a second belt loop of the garment; a connecting strap adjuster that adjusts a length of a connecting strap; and the connecting strap affixed to the first garment attachment fastener at a first end of the connecting strap and affixed to the second garment attachment fastener at a second end of the connecting strap, wherein, when the first garment attachment fastener is hooked onto the first belt loop of the garment and the second garment attachment is ii hooked onto the second belt loop of the garment, the connecting strap provides cinching force to the garment, and wherein the connecting strap is less than half of a circumference of the garment. 